If you become sick or disabled, either temporarily or permanently, who will make decisions for you?
1. A Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to handle your affairs if you cannot do so.
2. If you cannot pay bills, get records or make other decisions, your family will be prevented from helping you get treatment, pay doctors or for Medicare.
3. Without a Power of Attorney, your family may have to file what is known as a Guardianship Proceeding, seeking guardianship of the disabled person. This process involves the Court, several lawyers and usually at least several thousand dollars. A Power of Attorney might cost a few hundred dollars.
4. It is important that you give your family the tools to help you if you cannot help yourself.
5. We recommend you have a backup or alternate attorney-in-fact should your original agent be incapacitated, unwilling or unable to serve.